Written by: Karen MacDonald
Photo: M. Fiegehen slides one past the Mitchell goalie
The BDO Dunwoody Atom BB team travelled to Mitchell on Sunday, December 13th to face the top-ranked Mitchell Meteors. The Meteors came out primed to play, fresh off their win at the Wingham Regional Silverstick that same afternoon. The Storm team was up for the challenge after having advanced to the “A” division final at the Shelburne tournament the day before. This game saw Jack Flarity in net as Jacob Ackert took the spot between the posts for the final game of the Shelburne tournament the previous day. Both teams took to the ice with one goal in mind, a win. The Meteors came out strong and determined, challenging the Storm team to play a solid defensive game for the first period. The determination of the Mitchell team paid off as they scored the first goal of the game after a mad scramble down low around the Storm net. The BDO Dunwoody Atom BB team continued to play a strong game but the offensive lines found it difficult to crack through the tough Mitchell defense and their scoring opportunities remained low. However, the hard work of the defensive end paid off as Kelly Cobean (D) shot the puck deep into the corner where Michael Fiegehen (RW) picked it up, deftly made his way to the net and beat the Mitchell goaltender to score the first goal for the Storm at the 8 second mark of the first period. We’re all tied at one at the end of the first.
Perhaps spurred on by the gritty efforts of their defensive end, the offensive lines of the BDO Dunwoody Atom BB team started to get into their groove during the second period and produce some scoring opportunities of their own. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as Nick Sutter-Lammie of the Storm, on a nice feed from Murray Martin, launched a beauty at the Meteor net only to have it ring off the post. I’m sure all of the Storm fans would be hearing that resounding “ping” in their dreams later that night. The Meteors continued to press forward and brought out the best in the Storm team as all players chipped in with strong forechecking, backchecking and all around good physical play. The game play was fast and furious, soaring from end to end as the players battled for possession of the puck and a chance to get to the net. The Storm team would enter the third period still tied at one with the Meteors thanks in large part to the outstanding efforts of Storm goaltender, Jack Flarity.
The battle waged on into the final fifteen minutes as both teams were resolute in their goal to bring home the win. The offensive lines of the Storm team really came alive during this final period, putting the Mitchell goalie to the test. The deciding play finally came at the 1:40 mark of the third as a well positioned Fiegehen at the front of the net fired a rocket at the Mitchell goaltender only to have it rebound right back to him where he lined up another missile which cleanly found its way to the back of the net. With only a minute and a half remaining the Mitchell team pulled their goaltender in an attempt to even the score but the Storm team stayed strong and held them off, taking home the win.
Congratulations to the formidable four on defense, Kelly Cobean with Kent Ribey and William Forsyth with Jack Middleton, for playing a rock solid game. Kudos as well to the powerful forward lines, Eric Charlebois with Michael Fiegehen and Will Rickerby, Thomas MacDonald with Murray Martin and Nick Sutter-Lammie and Justin Marlowe with Paul Leger for putting forth an outstanding effort. An additional thumbs up to Charlebois and MacDonald for digging deep and skating hard as they took turns centering the three lines as one player, Korey Thomas, was absent. A big pat on the back to goaltender, Jack Flarity, for standing tall and staying strong between the pipes and doing his part to help his team bring home the win.
Next up for the BDO Dunwoody Atom BB team is an Away game against Listowel on Saturday, Dec. 19th.
Go Storm Go!